Raw milk aerator



Feb. 5, 1952 L.. c. HARP, sR

RAW MILK AERATOR 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed March 4, 1950 lTlEJ will INVENTOR. lloyd C. Har ,3:2 BY @M9/Q7@ Feb. 5, 1952 l.. c. HARP, SR

RAW MILK AERATOR 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed March 4, 1950 JNVENToR. L lgyd C, Haym'ff BY mmm/w Patented Feb. 5, 1952 (i TENT OFFICE RAW iiiLK ARTR Lloyd Iarp, Sr., `Waterloo, -ovva v Application M''cii 1950, Serial N. AI'TLIG'I'S s claimsi (ci. esce-e113) rihis invention relates to a device ller Aaerating raw milk for the purpose ef reineviig 1animalheat and odors.

When milk is not aerated,-it 'tends tefseur quick ly but ii it is aerated, it remair-'i'sjsiifeet for aA greater length of time. It is l`irnpa'ntant that the milk be aerated as socia as pessible after the cows are milked so that the chances of the -inilk scuring are reduced te a minimum.

The present invention includes a device A-specially adapted for heine use, that is, it is used by the individual producer and the 'nilk can be aerated immediately after the cows are milked.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a simple and eiii'cient device which can be employed for aerating milk that 'is contained in standard milk cans that 'are employed -for shipping milk to 'and from the dairy?.

Another object is the provision of a simple and eicient device yfor aerating milk wherein there are a minimum nmberef parts that re# quire cleaning. y

A still further object -is the provision of a noi/ei construction aerator that 'can `be employed for aerating milk in a 'standard milk dan 'the use of which dust and dirt is prevented frein falling into the milk. v v Y A further object is the previsin of a device which is eective for aerating and ceolig milk in milk cans without the Anecessity of placing the milk cans in cooling Water, but it is also such that it can be employed when the milk cans 'are placed in water,if such is desired.

A still further object is the pini/isioii Yof an eicient device 'which is effective foi` producing directional circulation of air over the vmilk as the milk is agitated for aerati'ng and cooling the milk.

Another object is the provision of a simple de` vice of the character Iabove'referred to which can be readily adapted to power 'operation lor lhand op'- eration.

With these and other objects in view',- m'y irlvention consists inthe construction, arrang'ef ment, and combination of the various parts f my device whereby the objects "contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully vset forth, pointed out in the claims, and illustrated 'in the accompanying drawings, Whereinf:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View 'of the device of the present invention:

Figure 2 is a view from the 'left vlof vFigure -1' y Figure 3 is an enlarged detailii'i ef the fa In for operating the agitator and jair circulating ho'd; 5

lil

' securing means.

Figure 4 is a sectional view 'taken on line 4;-1! of Figure `3;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on line of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a plan View of the guide `for yplacing cn top of the milk can; and

Figure 7 rshows the upper portion of an aerator device adapted for hand operation.

Referring in det-ail to the drawings, the device includes a stand indicated generally at I2, mounted on a base i4. The stand i2 includes a bottom horizontal foot portion i6 that is mount= ed directly on the base 1'4 by any convenient rsecuring means, the base being o appropriate di*- mensicns for retaining the stand fand all of the appurtenances therecn in upright position. `One end of the foot portion I'G i's in the shape of a ring indicated vat i8., the ring being adapted for the insertion 'of a milk lcan 20 which thenere'sts directly on the base M, the ring l .retaining the milk can in proper position. The ymilk can 2e will be recognized as a 'conventional or standard milk can commonly employed for transporting milk to and from dairies.v Y

At the end of the foot porticn AIt opposite the ring I8 is secured an upright standard 22 which is mounted inthe foot portion by Vany Aconvenient An upright tubular member 24 is also secured in the foot .portieri I6 adjacent the standard 22 and lretained in uprigifrt .position by a bracket 26 lfitted over the tubular .portion 2li and mounted on the 'standard 22. An insert member 28 Vis telescopically iitted in the tubular portion 2li and may lbe veither -Xed or adjustable vertically as desiredl The 'insert -28 is provided with a plurality of holes 30. L

A bracket 32 is mounted en the insert 28 fand includes a 'tubular portion -34 telescoped vover tlie insert -28 and the bracket is' accordingly 'slidable vertically thereon. A pin 36 is inserted 'through holes in the tubular element 3d and projects through one of the holes 30 'fr supporting the bracket t2 in vthe desi-red v position or adjustment on the insert 28'. The bracket vi322 is alsopro'vided with ahorizontal portin or platform 38 sup porting an electric motor 40 Which may be -a 3 arm elements 48 welded or otherwise mounted on a hub 50. The hub 50 has a central hole for receiving the shaft 44 and a set screw 52 is threaded through a tapped hole in the hub, the screw engaging the shaft 44 for rigidly mounting the arm on the shaft for rotation therewith.

At the swinging end of the arm 46 is a bearing and mounting assembly indicated generally at 54 which includes a sleeve 56 fitted in a hole in a plate 58 and welded therein. The plate 58 is fitted against one of the flat sides of the arm 46 with the sleeve 56 positioned between the ends of the arm elements 48. A thumb screw 60 provided with a lock nut 62 is loosely inserted through a hole in theplate 58, through a hole in a cross piece 64 on the opposite side of the arm 46, and threaded into the nut 66 which is welded to the cross piece 64. The cross piece 64 is provided with pins 68 adapted to be fitted in any one of the several pairs of holes 10 in the arm elements. By loosening the thumb screw 60 the cross piece 64 can be removed, withdrawing the pins from the holes which can then be inserted in any of the other pairs of holes 10; the plate 58 is adjusted in alignment therewith and the thumb screw 60 is reinserted into the nut 66 and threaded thereinto. The result is positioning the bearing and mounting assembly 54 in any of several different distances from the axis of the operating shaft 44 for the purpose :ai

of lengthening or shortening the effective length of the operating arm 46.

The assembly 54 also includes a shaft 412 mounted in the sleeve 56 and secured therein by means of a washer 14 and screw 16 fitted against one end of the sleeve 56. The other end of the sleeve 56 is engaged by the shoulder formed by an enlarged portion 18 of the shaft 12. The shaft 12 and particularly the enlarged portion 18 thereof is provided with a hole 80 in which is inserted the upper end of an agitator rod 82. The enlargement 18 is provided with a tapped opening in which is threaded a wing screw 84 engaging the rod 82 and retaining the latter in the hole 80.

As will be observed (Figure l) the rod 82 eX- tends down into the milk can 20 and at the lower end of the rod 82 is an agitator cone 86 which is in the form of a wire coil or spiral.

The numeral 68 indicates an agitator guide which is in the form of a spider illustrated most clearly in Figure 6. The guide 88 includes a central portion 90 having an aperture therethrough in which is inserted a ferrule 92 that may be of rubber or other desired material. The guide 88 also includes radial arms 94 which interconnect the central hub 90 and the outer annular ring 96 which has a downturned flange 98 (Figure 1). The radial arms 94 have vertical webs or Vribs in which are cut several radially spaced notches |02. The guide 88 is placed on top of the milk can 20 vwith certain of the notches |02 tted over the upper edge of the milk can. The ribs |00 are provided with the several notches to accommodate milk cans of different sizes.

The agitator rod 82 extends through the ferrule 92 and it will be understood that the parts are tted together by removing the rod 82 from the shaft 12 and inserting the upper end of the rod through the ferrule. The rod is made removable from the shaft 12 for that purpose and also for the purpose of enabling ready cleaning of the agitator cone 86 as well as the rod.

Another lrodlp|04 ismounted onthe shaft 12.

The rod |04 is preferably made up of a pair of rod elements doubled together forming a loop which is fitted over the enlargement 18 and welded thereto. The rod |04 is of considerably lesser length than the rod 82 and at the lower end of the rod |04 is an adaptor having notches in opposite sides. The rod 82 is adapted to be fitted in one of the notches.

A hood is indicated at |08 and is preferably of cloth fabric or similar flexible material. 'Ihe upper end of the hood |08 is substantially closed and provided with a button |I0 fitted in the other of the notches in the adaptor |06 thereby supporting the hood |08 by the adaptor |06. The upper end of the hood |08 is provided with a small opening for the insertion of the agitator rod 82.

The arrangement of elements is such that when the button |0 is supported by the adaptor |06, the hood |08 fits down over the upper end of the milk can.

Brief reference is made to Figure 7 which illustrates a hand operated device. The whole device is essentially the same as that previously described except that instead of an electric motor for operating the device, a crank is provided. In Figure 7 the operating shaft 44 corresponds to the shaft 44 of Figure 1. The shaft 44 is mounted in bearings I2 on a bracket ||4 which is mounted on the insert 28 in the manner described in connectionwith the bracket 32. The shaft`44 is provided with a crank ||6.

'Operation With the various parts assembled and arranged as illustrated in Figure 1, the motor 40 is turned on. The shaft 44 rotates, swinging the arm 46 which reciprocates both of the rods 82 and |04 vertically. As the arm 46 swings downwardly, the agitator cone 86 also is lowered to the position shown in Figure 2 and on continued rotation of the arm 46 the agitator thoroughly disturbs and agitates the milk in the can 20. The guide 88 establishes a pivot point for the agitator rod 82 and upon the upper end of the rod 82 following a rotary motion, the agitator cone 86 likewise follows a rotary motion with consequent thorough agitation of the milk.

At the same time that the agitator is actuated, the arm 46 causes reciprocation of the rod |04, which causes the hood |06 to be raised and lowered. rIhe guide 83 spaces the hood from the sides of the can and permits air to pass through the spaces formed by the guide 88 into and out of the interior of the hood. The hood 88 is alternately collapsed and extended which forces air into and out of the milk can also causes the air to be exhausted out of the hood to the exterior and draws in new air. The air thus being forced into and out of the can, aerates the milk and enables all of the milk to be subjected to the aerating process in a short time. The air is forci bly circulated and caused to flow over the milk.

The hood |08 prevents the entrance of dirt and dust into the milk can and for that reason it will be seen that the device is sanitary.

The device can be employed for the different sized milk cans. The notches |02 accommodate different diameters of the milk can and different heights of milkcans are accommodated by raising or lowering of the bracket 82 on the insert 28 of the stand. The supporting ring i8 is effective for properly securing milk cans of vdifferent diameters in the desired position.

The milk in the milk can need not be exposed at any time. In positioning the milk can for the aerating process, the lower end of the hood |83 can be placed over the milk can before the lid thereof is removed. The user can reach up under the hood and remove the cover and thereafter insert the agitator cone 86 into the can and place the guide 38 thereon.

For cleaning the device the agitator rod 82 can be quickly removed from the shaft 12 and the hood |08 can be quickly detached from the adaptor |06. Then the three elements, namely, agitator and rod, the hood, and the guide 88 can be readily and quickly cleaned. None of the other parts become soiled nor do they need cleansing for the aerating and cooling process.

The agitation and aeration of the milk as above described are effective for cooling the milk in the milk can without the necessity of placing the milk can in water for that purpose. However, the device is such that if it should be desired to place the milk can in water for quickly cooling the milk, such can be done.

It is obvious that the operation of the device of Figure 7 is as above described. Instead of the shaft 44 of Figure 1 being operated by a motor, the shaft 44 ofFigure 7 is actuated manually by manipulation of the crank H6.

While I have herein shown and described certain preferred embodiments of my invention, manifestly they are susceptible of modification and rearrangement of the parts Without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. I do not therefore wish to be understood as limiting my invention to the precise forms herein disclosed, except as I may be so limited by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character disclosed, a stand adapted for use with a receptacle, a rotatable shaft mounted on said stand, an arm on said shaft, a guide means adapted to rest on the receptacle, said guide means having a central hub with an aperture therethrough and a plurality of radial blades, said blades being angularly disposed relative to the plane of the guide means, said guide means having a perimeter element secured to the outer ends of said blades, said blades being engageable with the receptacle and the perimeter member being disposed outwardly of the perimeter of the receptacle, an agitator secured to the free end of said arm and extending through and slidable in the aperture in said guide means, a hood secured to the free end of said arm, said hood being adapted to be fitted over the receptacle, the end of the agitator in the receptacle following a generally circular motion in response to movement of the other end by the free end of said arm, said hood being raised and lowered in response to movement of the free end of said arm, and said guide means spacing said hood from the sides of the receptacle.

2. A machine for agitating and aerating fluids which are contained in a receptacle having an open mouth at the top thereof, said agitating and aerating machine comprising an agitating 6 member, a guide member adapted to be mounted over the open mouth of said receptacle, said guide member having a central aperture through which said agitating member extends into said receptacle, said guide member form-ing a plurality of venting apertures through which air may pass during the aeration of the fluid in the receptacle, the outer edge of said guide member' bein-g spaced laterally outside the mouth of said receptacle, a hood fitting over the outer edge of said guide, and means for reciprocating said agitating member and hood, whereby the agitating member agitates the fluid in said receptacle and the hood forces air into and out of said receptacle, said outer edge of the guide serving to space the hood from the mouth of the receptacle.

3. A machine as set forth in claim 2 wherein a portion of said hood is xed with respect to said agitating member, whereby the agitating men ber and hood are reciprocated in unison.

4. A machine asset forth in claim 2 wherein said guide member has notches therein cooperating with the edge of the mouth of the receptacle to maintain said guide member in position onv said receptacle.

5. A machine as set forth in claim 2 wherein said hood extends below said guide member and is adapted to engage the outer walls of said receptacle.

6. A machine for agitating and aerating fluids which are contained in a receptacle having an open mouth at the top thereof, said agitating and aerating machine comprising an agitating member adapted to be inserted into the open mouth of the receptacle, a guide member adapted to be positioned over the open mouth of said receptacle, said guide member having a central aperture therethrough and a perimeter portion disposed outwardly of the open mouth of said receptacle, said agitating member adapted to pass through said central aperture into said receptacle, a hood fitted over said guide member and having a portion thereof fixed with respect to said agitating member, and means for reciprocating and oscillating said agitating member and said hood, said perimeter portion of the guide member spacing said hood from the mouth of the receptacle.

LLOYD C. HARP, SR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 408,126 Mitchum July 30, 1889 519,746 Thomas May 15, 1894 628,474 Kingsbury July 11, 1899 646,430 Hargrove Apr. 3, 1900 691,223 Whitely Jan. 14, 1902 1,161,416 Schrock Nov. 23, 1915 1,523,027 Lindberg Jan. 13, 1925 1,841,756 Motsinger Jan. 19, 1932 

